SCHOOL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES, COLLEGE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES

Anaemia is a prevalent global health concern, particularly in developing regions. Conventional treatments such as iron supplements often have side effects, prompting interest in natural alternatives. Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) is rich in bioactive
compounds, including lycopene, citrulline, and essential minerals, which may influence hematopoiesis. This study evaluates the effects of Citrullus lanatus juice on red blood cell (RBC) indices in anaemic rats. Seventy seven male Sprague-Dawley rats were
divided into five groups: control, anaemia-induced (untreated), anaemia + vitamin B complex/folic acid, and anaemia + watermelon juice. Anaemia was induced using phenylhydrazine, and treatments were administered for three weeks. Blood samples were collected weekly and analyzed for RBC indices, including mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and red cell distribution width (RDW). Data were analyzed using ANOVA with a significance level of p < 0.05. Citrullus
lanatus juice administration significantly increased MCV and MCH compared to the control (p < 0.05), suggesting enhanced erythropoiesis. RDW-SD showed a notable increase in the watermelon-treated group, indicating RBC production. However, no
significant changes were observed in mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (p > 0.05). The results suggest that Citrullus lanatus juice positively influences RBC indices in anaemic rats, potentially enhancing erythropoiesis. This study supports the use of Citrullus lanatus as a dietary intervention for anaemia, warranting further research in human models.

Background/Purpose of the Study: Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability globally, with its burden particularly high in low and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. It requires a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach for effective management. Physiotherapy plays a vital role in restoring mobility, promoting functional independence, and improving quality of life for stroke survivors. However, awareness and perception of its importance among students in other health-related disciplines may remain inadequate. Understanding these perceptions is crucial in promoting interprofessional collaboration and strengthening patient-centered rehabilitation practices. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of awareness and perception of the roles of physiotherapy in stroke management among College of Medical Sciences students, University of Benin. The study also explored the influence of gender, department, and academic level on awareness and perception. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 295 undergraduate students (300 level and above) from seven departments within the College of Medical Sciences. A self-administered structured questionnaire adapted from validated instruments was used to collect data on knowledge, awareness, and perception of physiotherapy in stroke management. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean, and percentage, while chi-square tests were used to determine associations at a 0.05 level of significance. Results: Over half of the respondents (52.2%) demonstrated good knowledge of physiotherapy, and 84.7% showed good understanding of both medical and physiotherapy aspects of stroke management. The majority acknowledged that physiotherapists are essential in restoring mobility and functional independence in stroke survivors. No statistically significant associations were found between knowledge and gender, department, or academic level. The major sources of information on physiotherapy and stroke management were social media (16.6%), lectures (14.3%), and online medical articles (12.4%). Conclusion: The study concludes that most college of medical science students at the University of Benin possess a good level of awareness and positive perception of the role of physiotherapy in stroke management. However, some misconceptions persist, highlighting the need for improved educational exposure and interprofessional learning opportunities. Integrating physiotherapy awareness into medical curricula and leveraging digital health education platforms could foster better collaboration among future healthcare providers and enhance stroke rehabilitation outcomes.

Background: Diabetes accounts for increased mortality from comorbid diseases such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, and cancer. Diabetic patients are exposed to chronic stress due to issues such as anxiety about diabetic complications. Diabetic patients are exposed to chronic stress due to issues such as anxiety about diabetic complications. little is known about spirituality, self-management activities, health-related beliefs, and lived experience with type 2 diabetes (T2D) especially in Benin City Nigeria
Aim: This study aims to explore the spirituality and beliefs of patients who are self-managing their type 2 diabetes to further understand the unique cultural factors influencing diabetes self- management. Methods: Purposive sampling technique was used to select two (2) hospitals in Benin City. The total of Benin Teaching Hospital and 100 Edo Specialist Hospital. The Tao Yamane formula was used to derive a sample size of 170 participants. Convenient sampling method was used to recruit participant. The use of Spirituality Questionnaire (SQ) and was Diabetes Self-Management Instrument Short Form(DSMI-20) used to obtain information from the respondents. Inferential statistics was used to summarize the data. Alpha level was 0.05. Results: There was significant correlation between spirituality and betes self-management
(r=0.205, p=0.007). there was no significant correlation between gender and comorbidities with spirituality and self management of T2DM. Conclusion:. In conclusion, prayers, belief connected to a higher being, helps the diabetic patient rise above the limitations of the diabetic disease. This study showed that the tendency of individual practicing self-care, usually increases as they become more spiritually inclined

(garlic) has long been recognized for its antimicrobial potential, yet the comparative efficacy of its ethanolic and aqueous extracts against clinically relevant pathogens requires further evaluation. This study assessed the antibacterial
activity of ethanolic and aqueous garlic extracts against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from wound swabs. Garlic bulbs were authenticated, dried, pulverized, and subjected to maceration in ethanol and sterile water to obtain crude extracts with yields of 2.25% and 3.57%, respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated using ditch plate, cup plate, and agar dilution methods. Inhibition zone diameters (IZDs), minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were determined. Both extracts displayed concentration-dependent antibacterial activity, with ethanolic fractions showing greater potency than aqueous fractions. Ethanolic extract inhibited K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa at 100 mg/mL (IZD: 12–14 mm), while aqueous extract required 200 mg/mL for measurable inhibition (IZD: 11–13
mm). MIC values were 100 mg/mL for ethanolic and 200 mg/mL for aqueous extracts, whereas MBC was achieved only with ethanolic extract at 200 mg/mL. Statistical analysis confirmed that concentration significantly influenced antibacterial activity (p = 0.000), while differences between organisms or extract types were not statistically significant (p = 0.292). These findings suggest that garlic exhibits concentration- dependent antibacterial activity, with ethanolic extracts demonstrating superior
efficacy.

Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) is an aromatic and medicinal grass widely used in food, cosmetics, and traditional medicine for its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. These activities are linked to its diverse phytochemicals, including essential oils, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. Although the plant has been extensively studied, limited comparative data exists on how solvent polarity influences the extraction of its nutritional and bioactive constituents. This study therefore evaluated the proximate composition, phytochemical distribution, and phenolic profile of C. citratus using ethanol (polar) and diethyl ether (non-polar) as extraction solvents. Laboratory analyses employed various methods, including gravimetric techniques for proximate and phytochemical composition, spectrophotometric and acid titration methods for phytochemical determination, and GC-FID for detailed phenolic profiling. Fresh samples collected from the University of Benin were authenticated and subjected to standardized proximate and phytochemical analyses, supported by current literatures from PubMed, ScienceDirect, MDPI, and Google Scholar. Extraction yield was slightly higher with diethyl ether (1.72%) than with ethanol (1.56%), reflecting the solvent’s efficiency in dissolving non-polar constituents. Proximate analysis revealed high carbohydrate content (71.820%) and crude fibre content (3.225%), moderate crude protein (6.133%), ash content (2.117%), and moisture content (16.720%), and very low-fat content (1.552%). Antinutritional factors such as oxalates, phytates, and cyanogenic glycosides were found only in trace amounts, confirming nutritional safety. Phytochemical screening detected alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, and phenolics in both extracts. Phenolic profiling showed diethyl ether enriched non-polar compounds including catechol (21.776ppm), hydroxyquinol (54.471ppm), and resorcinol (13.932ppm), while ethanol favored polar phenolics such as quinol (25.975ppm) and cinnamic acid (21.163ppm).

Parasitic contamination in aquaculture systems poses significant threats to both fish health and public safety, particularly in developing countries where food security depends heavily on freshwater fish production. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of parasitic contamination in fish ponds across Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, and evaluate the associated public health implications. A total of 50 water samples were collected from fish ponds across three local government areas: Ikpoba Okha (n=17), Ovia North East (n=16), and Oredo (n=17). Water samples were analyzed using direct microscopy, flotation, and sedimentation techniques to identify parasitic stages including eggs, larvae, and cysts. Key findings revealed a high overall prevalence of parasitic contamination at 54.0% across all examined ponds. Ascaris lumbricoides ova were the most frequently detected parasites
(44.0%), followed by Strongyloides stercoralis larvae (30.0%), Cryptosporidium parvum cysts (18.0%), and Schistosoma haematobium ova (8.0%). The highest contamination rates were observed in Ikpoba Okha (64.7%), followed by Oredo (52.9%) and Ovia North East (43.8%), though statistical analysis revealed no significant association between local government areas and contamination prevalence (p = 0.480). The majority of ponds (26%) harbored single parasites, while 4% contained four different parasitic species. The identification of zoonotic parasites with confirmed human health implications underscores the urgent need for improved aquaculture management practices, enhanced biosecurity measures, and comprehensive surveillance programs. These findings emphasize the necessity for integrated public health initiatives aimed at reducing parasitic transmission risks through
improved pond management, proper fish processing techniques, and consumer education programs to safeguard community health in Benin City

The emergence of antifungal resistance necessitates the exploration of plant-based alternatives. This study investigated the antifungal activity of Syzygium aromaticum (clove) extracts prepared by Soxhlet and maceration methods. Clove buds were authenticated, extracted using ethanol– water (1:1), and tested against 12 fungal isolates, including Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium spp., and Fusarium spp. Antifungal susceptibility was assessed using agar well diffusion, while minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were determined by agar dilution. Ketoconazole served as the standard reference. Results showed concentration-dependent inhibition, with activity evident from 50 mg/ml. Candida albicans was the most sensitive organism, with inhibition zones up to 17.66 mm at 400 mg/ml, while Penicillium showed the least susceptibility. Maceration extracts consistently demonstrated higher efficacy than Soxhlet, yielding larger inhibition zones and lower MIC values (41.66 ± 12.12 µg/ml vs. 200.00 ± 145.5 µg/ml for Candida albicans). MFC assays confirmed fungicidal activity of maceration extracts at 50 µg/ml for Candida albicans, compared to higher concentrations required for other fungi. These findings indicate that Syzygium aromaticum possesses notable antifungal properties, particularly against Candida albicans, with maceration proving the more effective extraction method. The results provide scientific support for clove’s traditional use and suggest its potential as a natural antifungal agent.

Diabetes mellitus(DM)is a disease of global public health importance associated with high morbidity and mortality (Nnachi et al., 2023). According to International Diabetes Federation report of 2015, about 415million people have DM globally with the figure projected to have
increased to 642million by 2040 or maybe even doubled by the year 2040 (Nwatu et al., 2019). The greatest increase will be in developing countries (69%) compared with developed countries (20%), withn non-communicable disease (NCDs) accounting for up to 80% of deaths among developing countries. In Botswana, the prevalence of DM among adults (20–79years) is approximately 52 per 1000 people out of which 31.6 per 1000 remain undiagnosed. Healthrelated quality of life (HRQOL) refers to the physical, psychological and social aspects of health
that are influenced by person’s experience on beliefs, expectations and perceptions (Nwatu et al., 2019).

Nanoparticles (Nano particles) are defined as structures with a diameter less than 100 nm and novel physical and chemical properties that differ sharply from the macro forms. The medical use of nanosilver particles is growing mainly due to their antimicrobial properties. The impact of NSPs on the regulation of vascular tone (vasoconstriction/vasodilation), blood flow distribution, heartbeat, electric mechanisms, etc.; as well as their protective or adverse role in the development and progression of cardiovascular pathologies has not been properly understood. The aim of this present work was to determine the effect of nanosilver on vascular reactivity in isolated rabbit carotid artery.

Asthma is a prevalent respiratory condition that is characterized by chronic airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction, often accompanied by systemic inflammation. Pharmacological interventions such as Montelukast and Prednisolone are commonly used to manage asthma, but their impact in extra-pulmonary tissues still remains less explored. This study is aimed to investigate the effect of Montelukast and Prednisolone on the histology of the heart, lungs and aorta in asthma induced Sprague-dawley rats. To achieve this, a total of 80 Sprague-dawley rats were used for this study, which were divided into two (2) main groups (control and test groups). Group 1 control - not induced with asthma, Group 2 negative control - induced with asthma but
not treated. While the test groups were divided into: Group 3 (asthma induced and treated with
montelukast) and Group 4 (asthma induced and treated prednisolone), with 20 rats per group. Asthma was induced by sensitizing all experimental groups (2, 3, and 4) with 1 mg OVA and 200 mg aluminum hydroxide dissolved in 0.9 saline on day 0 and 7, challenged with OVA (1 % w/v, adsorbed in 0.9 saline) twice weekly from day 7 of treatment until the last day with a Medel family of nebulizer. During the period of challenged, the tested groups were being treated with 10mg/kg of montelukast and 3mg/kg of prednisolone (oral) and at the end of the experiment, the heart, lungs and aorta were harvested and fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution, embedded in paraffin and then subjected to histopathological study.